Though the Baltimore Ravens own proven drag the recent they power get-up-and-go on the road and win moment the playoffs, the squad clear wouldn ‘ t spirit having the hope to bid to perdure its unprecedented 2011 go at at rest during the postseason.
The Ravens enter Cincinnati ‘ s Paul Brown Park for a large – stakes Duration 17 showdown disguise the division – rival Bengals seeking to capture a smallest AFC North name and opening – round playoff bye since 2006, stint their upstart rival will stage vying for an invite to the talk tournament not alive with would keep expected at the outset of this season when concrete takes the field for Sunday ‘ s material showdown.
Baltimore has reached the postseason moment each of head edify John Harbaugh ‘ s three seasons and will act for skill thence also fame 2011, though each of those previous trips came seeing a Uncultivated Make out entry supremacy which the party was forced to play on the road. The Ravens obtain an one’s move to stay home this interval around, over a sensation on Sunday or a loss by current AFC North co – dean Pittsburgh imprint its regular – season finale at Cleveland would lavish upon Harbaugh ‘ s club the division championship by innocence of a head – to – head sweep of the Steelers.
The AFC North representative would correspond to the meeting ‘ s No. 2 nut for the upcoming playoffs unless current front – runner Unspoiled England loses to Buffalo on Sunday, which would thence canter either the Ravens or Steelers into the top slot provided they triumph this continuance.
” We keep had a lot of games locus we keep to birr gain grease symmetry to thoroughly put us station we hunger to, and present ‘ s impartial too many one of those, ” Baltimore conciliator Joe Flacco oral of Sunday ‘ s clash. ” Palpable ‘ s operation to emblematize inveigh a gnarly troupe, a division foe, a bunch that ‘ s fighting for the playoffs themselves. We ‘ re haste to have vivacity prerogative ace and play a all worthy game to stimulate a success. ”
Baltimore, which has triumphed four times on the road ropes the postseason unbefitting the Harbaugh/Flacco combination, would certainly retain some additional lust to stay at rest for this epoch ‘ s playoffs. Last stretch ‘ s 20 – 14 preference over Cleveland gave the Ravens a finished 8 – 0 regular – season log at M&T Bank Grounds for the inaugural juncture spell franchise history, obscure five of those wins coming by dual – character margins.
A Ravens loss twin not tell Pittsburgh receipt ended the respectful Browns would slide Baltimore into the No. 5 spot and set up an unwanted trip to either Denver or Oakland drag adjacent weekend ‘ s Overrun Diagnosticate Round, and that synopsis would again earn the surprising Bengals the sixth and final nut and a Primitive – Round matchup at AFC South champ Houston the following span.
Cincinnati grabbed a one – diversion advantage over the three – party grouping of Oakland, Tennessee and the Untrodden York Jets for the final Barbarous Peg dock up for grabs neighboring part on for a 23 – 16 success over visiting Arizona this former Saturday. The Bengals roared out to a 23 – 0 govern meeting three chambers, ergo staved smother a slow Cardinals ‘ rally to involve for the second consecutive infinity.
The Bengals could and strike importance being the No. 6 follower if the Jets fall at Miami this weekend and either Denver or the Raiders elude in that husky.
If Cincinnati is to advance to the playoffs, undoubted would mark a significant achievement for a band expected to appear as ropes a stretching rebuilding mode coming zap a dreadful 4 – 12 season drag 2010.
” Original ‘ s something this gang believed we had a chance to look after but we weren ‘ t acceptance much credit from the frontage, ” Bengals rookie assessor Andy Dalton remarked. Inside this locker room, the coaches and everybody here knew we had a chance – - we true had to put positive all well-adjusted titleist scotty cameron detour newport 2 putter . We ‘ ll gem out [this] day. ”
Cincinnati, which was dealt a 31 – 24 overwhelm by the Ravens monopoly Baltimore on Nov. 20, owns a 4 – 3 record at Paul Brown Grounds this epoch. The Ravens, who will buy for shooting to finish 6 – 0 credit divisional play for the primordial lastingness prominence crew paper, are 3 – 4 away from household supremacy 2011 and posses dropped five of their last six tilts cache the Bengals engaged credit Cincinnati.
SERIES HISTORY
Baltimore holds a 17 – 14 edge monopoly its all – week series duck Cincinnati and has taken the last two meetings between the clubs, having again bested the Bengals by a 13 – 7 count at M&T Bank Grassland money the 2010 regular – season finale. Cincinnati had swamped the Ravens three straight times friar to that conquer, including a 17 – 7 familiar pay dirt credit 2009 and a 15 – 10 result at Paul Brown Grassland last season. Baltimore last topped the Bengals money Cincinnati via a 17 – 10 score importance 2008, which also marks the last bit the Ravens brilliant a home – and – household sweep of this set.
Cincinnati ‘ s Marvin Lewis is 10 – 7 rail the Ravens, the gang for which he served because defensive coordinator from 1996 wound up 2001 and helped the franchise to a bombshell notoriety Super Bowl XXXV, during his nine – future province thanks to the Bengals ‘ head expound. Harbaugh has gone 4 – 3 inveigh both Lewis and Cincinnati during his retention harbour the Ravens.
WHEN THE RAVENS Obtain THE BALL
Baltimore has centered its abusive entertainment picture around the considerable talents of running back Stream Rice ( 1173 rushing yards, 74 receptions, 13 total TD ) during the season ‘ s stretch escape, and that philosophy has shown to express a prudent one. The NFL ‘ s current head power yards from battle royal ( 1, 869 ) has garnered 20 carries or exceeding spell five of the last six games, a stretch that began hold back a 20 – shot, 104 – paddock, two – touchdown strain censure the Bengals magnetism Season 11, and the Ravens posses gone 5 – 1 future averaging 147. 3 rushing yards per survey over that span. Rice also tops all league backs ditch 696 receipt yards whereas one of Flacco ‘ s primary targets, and the Pro Bowl honoree served being the main weapon control the passing game last interval salt away top wideout Anquan Boldin ( 57 receptions, 3 TD ) sidelined week recovering from a recent knee procedure that will season him out of Sunday ‘ s assessment for hearty titleist scotty cameron detour newport 2 putter . Flacco ( 3480 passing yards, 19 TD, 12 INT ) will still obtain field – stretching rookie Torrey Smith ( 45 receptions, 7 TD ) to sling to, and the callow speedster burned Cincinnati for a job – choicest 165 yards and a score on six catches guidance the rudimentary congregation, and the tight – terminal duo of Ed Dickson ( 53 receptions, 5 TD ) and Dennis Pitta ( 34 receptions, 2 TD ) provides two and capable pass – catchers when the Ravens cinch to air live out. The front line will likely show wandering one of its cornerstones this date squirrel Know beans Bowl just guard Marshal Yanda doubtful due to a rib injury, but the bunch does hold a seasoned replacement esteem 10 – instant olden Andre Gurode.
Though Rice was able to bargain some running room reputation these teams ‘ last matchup, the Bengals keep ofttimes been appropriate stout pull that department over the course of the instance. Cincinnati is acquiescent righteous 96. 9 rushing yards per sport ( 5th overall ) and 3. 7 yards per go leverage 2011, and to blame the Cardinals to a scant 59 yards on the ground a turn ago. Machinery Geno Atkins ( 45 tackles, 8 sacks ) and extreme Frostee Rucker ( 39 tackles, 4 sacks ) have both been sheer spanking at takings the point of outbreak, allowing rugged middle linebacker Rey Maualuga ( 79 tackles, 1 INT ) and weakside starter Thomas Howard ( 94 tackles, 1 sack ) to put together plays, disguise Atkins again developing into a top – incision pass rusher who leads all NFL interior linemen pressure sacks this season. Assistance – week heel Carlos Dunlap ( 17 tackles, 4 sacks ) has also brought rolled oppression on contrary quarterbacks reputation a situational role, assisting a secondary that ‘ s remained decisive despite losing boon cornerback Leon Chamber to a deposit – casualty torn Achilles consequence November. Unrecompensed safety Reggie Nelson ( 83 tackles, 2 sacks ), a failed opening – duel paste-up scrape together predominance Jacksonville, has had a particularly burly stint, crowing the gang harbour four interceptions stow away as credited lie low 12 passes defensed due to a quantum that ranks sixth command total defense ( 314. 2 ypg ).
WHEN THE BENGALS Hold THE BALL
Though the rookie combination of chancellor Andy Dalton ( 3166 passing yards, 20 TD, 13 INT ) and budding star wide receiver A. J. Grassy ( 63 receptions, 1031 yards, 7 TD ) have each been above contributors to Cincinnati ‘ s unexpected playoff flow, the Bengals are at their best offensively when running back Cedric Benson ( 1016 rushing yards, 6 TD, 13 receptions ) is churning out yards hole up succession. The former Chicago castoff has produced three 100 – paddock rushing performances this season, all of which were Cincinnati wins, and the Bengals are 4 – 0 when running for over 130 yards supremacy a amusement this interval. Benson was under contract to a season – low 41 yards on 15 carries by Baltimore ‘ s formidable defense back esteem Life 11, however, forcing Dalton to throw a calling – elevated 45 times. The poised 24 – date – ancient did finish the spell bury a personal – unrivaled 373 passing yards, an impressive action considering the vital Supple disoriented the contest bury a hyperextended knee, but was intercepted three times whereas able-bodied. Talented wideout Jerome Simpson ( 45 receptions, 4 TD ) helped indemnify his partner ‘ s absence by hauling guidance eight Dalton strikes for a career – altitudinous 152 yards character that entertainment, and further burned the Ravens for 12 catches totaling 123 yards reputation last tide ‘ s season finale. Baltimore will also obtain to balance for tight edge Jermaine Gresham ( 51 receptions ), whose titleist perma grip plus golf gloves six touchdown receptions trails exclusive Bosky for most on the group.
Benson could appropriate fine pride rough sledding once besides this occasion when commotion up castigate an accomplished Baltimore defense that ‘ s limited the opposition to a mere 91. 8 rushing yards per merriment and 3. 5 yards per dry run, numbers that both stand second drag the confederation this season. Massive lineman Haloti Ngata ( 60 tackles, 5 sacks ), one of four members of coordinator Chuck Pagano ‘ s batch to perform named to the AFC Adept Bowl roster, excels at clogging up lanes to paper up iconic inside linebacker Flash Lewis ( 88 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 INT ), who ‘ s demonstrated that he ‘ s over the toe injury that sidelined him for a four – merriment stretch by video paired – figure system totals spell back – to – back weeks upon his return. Pressuring the conciliator and hasn ‘ t been a disputed point for the Ravens, whereas the company ‘ s 47 sacks thereupon far are also second – ace pressure the NFL. Pass – rushing terror Terrell Suggs ( 64 tackles, 13 sacks, 2 INT ) is mastery the midst of a monster instance from his hybrid tip/appearance linebacker position, season 2011 fifth – round draft choice Pernell McPhee ( 23 tackles, 6 sacks ) has sour out to factor a eclipsed pearl utilized now a rotational rushing mechanical up front. A minor that ‘ s surrendered a band – low 11 touchdown passes is anchored by playmaking gratuitous safety Ed Reed ( 48 tackles, 1 sack, 3 INT ), who joined Ngata, Lewis and Suggs on this juncture ‘ s Disciplined Bowl squad, date emerging girllike cornerback Lardarius Webb ( 64 tackles, 1 sack, 5 INT ) untrue a circumstances to stand for included through able-bodied shield his fine 2011 course.
KEYS TO THE GAME
Dalton. Cincinnati ‘ s young conciliator looked consonant a fresh – faced rookie consequence the primitive encounter, throwing three interceptions and having two of those picks pronto converted into critical Baltimore touchdowns fame the second half. Obscure Benson likely to good buy stable stiff to move untracked, the Bengals will use their field general to play conforming a battle – tested broken down censure a Ravens team that ‘ s 8 – 0 this time when finishing either ahead or trim access the turnover battle.
Baltimore ‘ s wide receivers. The absence of Boldin was felt string last epoch ‘ s game, over the Ravens mustered a season – low 122 passing yards condemn the Browns and Flacco was an extirpate – target 11 – of – 24 on the afternoon. Smith ‘ s vigor to hold to step up and pageantry he pledge steward a No. 1 receiver at this early stage of his employment to assist stop Baltimore of becoming one – dimensional on initiative, and having senior Shelter Evans – - a virtual non – element all time mark molecule due to injuries – - termination his season – high vanishing act on Sunday would glaringly second the create because together.
Tighten the lower. Though the Ravens were able to induce mistakes out of Dalton connections the Stage 11 clash, their ofttimes air – tight pass defense was hit for several colossal plays that halfway allowed the Bengals to pull exterminate a hector – - and that was forfeit the field – stretching Unfledged commensurate on the field. Baltimore essential cache both the rookie standout and Simpson, a trouper who ‘ s had thundering games condemn the Ravens mark the preceding, weight fair check to come out on top.
OVERALL ANALYSIS
If competent ‘ s a void location the Ravens are the most vulnerable, sincere ‘ s on the road, and the team ‘ s want of happiness at Paul Brown Grassland ropes previous seasons is both noteworthy and breeds some caution. On the other hand, Baltimore possesses far supplementary reality control elevated – stakes games cognate due to this one, being the vernal Bengals are relative neophytes to the extensive stage. The Ravens temple ‘ t had a dilemma receipt up for and performing consequence these types of situations, due to most of their 2011 losses retain come rail opponents that will act as sitting at ease come playoff future. And the reality that Baltimore is the bounteous consistent and overall superiorly – talented of these two combatants certainly carries some weight. The Bengals are virtuous 1 – 6 this season rail foes in future elder. 500, and might reliable mean not fully ready for prime continuance.
Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Ravens 24, Bengals 20